5 Things for Thursday (and a GIVEAWAY!)

Posted By Lindsay on June 30, 2011

Is it really Thursday? As in, almost Friday? Really? I actually have no idea what day it is because my internal (external, and upside-downternal) clocks are all out of whack. Back to back trips with delayed connections, multiple time zones, and to-do lists as long as the TSA security line will do that do you. Oy vey.

But I want you to know that just because I don’t have a recipe for you doesn’t mean I can’t post something. In fact, I have some stuff to tell you. Five things, in fact.

1. Food Blog Forum is coming to Nashville on October 8th! Mark your calendars! Save the date! I’ll remind you again (and probably a few more times after that), once registration for the event is up and running (soon, I hope! We’re working on it!). I’ve attended two FBF events (Atlanta and Orlando – the later of which I was a speaker), both have been some of the highlights of my food blogging career. The smaller nature of these one-day conferences (a hundred attendees vs. hundreds of attendees) make it much more personal and intimate. You come home feeling like you really got to know these people. Oh, and you learn stuff too. Because it is a conference, after all. You can look forward to informative sessions on food photography and styling, pr and working with brands, social media, and who knows what else. We’re super excited about this event and hope to see you there!!

3. If you’re going through L&OO withdrawals, be sure to follow me on twitter. I check in there every so often (when I’m, um, procrastinating dealing with that mile-long to-do list). I’m also on Instagram (if you’re into that kind of thing). You may even get some sneak peeks of goodies for the upcoming cookbook. Ok, it’s mostly crazy cat pictures. But there may be something edible in there once in a while, too.

4. Cats. They need no introduction.

5. Finally, it’s giveaway time!! It’s been a while since we’ve done a giveaway, and I know how much you all love them. :) This giveaway just so happens to bring two of my favorite things together. Olive oil and chocolate. Nudo’s new chocolates all’olio d’oliva, dark chocolate truffles with ganache fillings made with mandarin, lemon, and chili olive oil (remember I used their chili oil to make some delicious popcorn? That same stuff is now infused into chocolate truffles. Lordy).

What’s better than olive oil and chocolate? Giving some away, of course! Two lucky L&OO readers will each win a box of Nudo’s handmade Italian olive oil chocolates. Each box contains 12 artisan truffles, four each of lemon, mandarin, and hot chili.

***GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!***

To Enter:

Simply leave a comment on this post with the answer to this question:What are you cooking/baking/eating this weekend?

Entries open through 7/6/11 at 11:59 CST. I’ll be randomly selecting the winners the morning of Thursday, July 7th. Prize will be shipped to the winners directly from Nudo. Please note that due to the perishable nature of this prize, this contest is open to US residents ONLY.

Want Extra Entries?
Increase your odds of winning! In addition to the main entry comment, leave a separate comment for each bonus entry.
1. Follow @loveandoliveoil on twitter and tweet the following:I just entered to win a box of handmade Italian olive oil chocolates from @nudoitalia and @loveandoliveoil! Enter here: http://bit.ly/mO0caQ.
Leave a comment here with a link to the tweet and/or your twitter handle.
2. Like Love & Olive Oil on Facebook (or if you are already a fan just say so!). Leave a comment here with your first name and last initial so I can stalk verify you.

Be sure you enter a valid email address, because if your name is drawn and I can’t get a hold of you within 72 hours, I will choose an alternate winner. You may also want to add me to your address book (lindsay AT loveandoliveoil DOT com), as I’d hate for your congratulatory email to end up in the spam folder.

I think i will be snacking on homemade granola and yogurt and plan to cook all my veggies from my CSA delivery! can’t wait! salad turnips, swiss chard, carrots, radishes, 3 different kinds of lettuce greens! and some baked thing with blueberries!

I am going to try my hand at French macaroons. I went to France for the first time in March and fell in love with all French cooking but absolutely loved the macaroons. My mom found me a Macaroons cookbook for my birthday shortly after and I haven’t had a chance to make them until now but I can’t wait.

Probably cheesesteak sandwhiches. I’m pregnant and have been on a real cheesesteak kick recent. And strawberries. Those sound like a gross combination, I’m sure… but I bet it will be delicious. I’m glad to see you’re back, even if only temporarily. I don’t often comment, but I love to read your blog. I’m looking forward to your cookbook as well!

Well, since I’m just getting over food poisoning or a stomach bug, I’ll probably be sticking to toast and applesauce, but I know I’ve got cucumbers to use, so I’ll trust that my body won’t reject something fresh and summery like a summer Panzanella!
Also, I LOVE that shot of the cat on the shelf. How much is that kit-ty in the windowwww….. and yes, of course, I’m a fan on Facebook! :)

This weekend I’m planning on making a vanilla bean cheesecake with a lemon curd topping. It’s a test recipe that I’m making up as I go, so hopefully it will turn out. (and I got the vanilla beans after you did your last giveaway. I didn’t win, but had go to buy some myself!)

I will be making and eating some Strawberry Lemonade cupcakes on a first date picnic! The cupcake recipes I make from your blog have literally had people proposing marriage to me! I’m a huge fan- I follow you on twitter (and going to tweet about this contest for sure!), and am a fan on Facebook. Hope you have a wonderful 4th of July weekend!

Every weekend, I make a bunch of meals and freeze them for week day lunches (it makes life so much easier when you don’t have to think about what to eat midday!) I’m also looking forward to waffles this weekend!

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